“This has been so fun and awesome. Thank you so much for letting me sit in on your session. I loved it.” I felt so relaxed and comfortable that I almost hated for it to end, but I didn’t want to overstay on my first time with them.

They protested and would let me go only when I promised to come back again in a week to check their lyrics progress.

Kasey helped me gather my things, and as she handed me my notebook, a piece of paper fluttered out. “Oops!” she said, bending to pick it up. Then she glanced at it as she handed it to me. “Hey! What’s this?” she said. She started to read out loud,

“One is the sun—burning fiercely,

Pulling all to her side.

One is the moon—always moving,

Riding a new tide.

One is fiery gold, electric, loyal, and wild.

The other is cool, silver, bold, and styled.”

I felt my cheeks grow warm as she read. “Oh, haha. It’s just a poem I’ve been working on,” I said, trying to blow it off. “I’ve been playing around with it, but I got stuck on a word and never finished it.”

Reagan smiled as she read it over Kasey’s shoulder. “Pulling all to her side,” she repeated. “Gee, I wonder who that could be—SIERRA!”

Sierra was staring at the page in wonder. “You wrote a poem about me… and Tamiko?”

I shrugged. “You know how I’ve been feeling lately. Sometimes writing poetry helps.”

“Ooh, now we get to help you with your poem, just like you helped us with our lyrics!” said Tessa with a smile.

“Hmm, what could be a good word describing Sierra here?” said Kasey.

“Kind?” suggested Reagan.

“Friendly?” suggested Tessa.

“Outgoing?” said Kasey.

I smiled at Sierra. “Generous. That’s the word. She’s fiery gold, generous, and wild. Done!”

“Love it!” said Kasey as Reagan high-fived me.

Sierra walked across the garage and gave me a huge hug. “Love ya, Alley Cat.” Then she whispered into my ear. “And look, just like that… you have three new friends. Just by being you.”

“Thanks, Sierra. Love you, too.” We did a tight squeeze, and then I hugged all the Wildflowers and headed out. I’d had a great time, and I left with a feeling of warmth, calm, and confidence. And for the first time in a long time, I was actually looking forward to my next social outing—my Korean hot chicken dinner with Jeanie and Marina from class.

CHAPTER NINE NEW FRIENDS ARE FUN

Crispy Chicken was new in town, in kind of an up-and-coming neighborhood. My mom dropped me off, and my dad would pick me up, since I was staying at his house that night.